The Letters of Ruth Bryan, 1805-1860
The efficacy of the precious blood of JesusTo Miss C., September 25, 1857.
Dearest Anne,
I must greet you once more in the name of Jesus. I hope you are recovering, and are having all afflictions sweetened by the love of the "Man of sorrows," who was so well acquainted with grief. I have felt some sweetness in praying for your brother. May the Lord manifest Himself to his soul. If he is a blood-bought jewel, he shall not be missing in the day of account. The great salvation is not of merit but of mercy; so none need despair because of crimson sins--the rich blood of my precious Savior makes them white as snow. This I can well witness, for none could be worse.What a glorious company will there be on the Mount Zion above, of blood-washed sinners--once so black, then so white; once so far off, then so near; once so full of fear and trembling, then so safe forever and ever. How shall we praise the worthy Lamb who brought us there at the cost of His own heart's blood! Oh, that poor doubting souls had more conception of the virtue and efficacy of that blood which has cleansed and will cleanse millions and millions of black sinners, and make them fit company for God and the Lamb. How it would encourage them to come to that fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness, which is free to every longing soul who is crying, "Wash me, Savior, or I die!"
Would that I had more conceptions of the freeness and fullness of the finished salvation, and that this contracted heart were enlarged to apprehend more of the love of the Savior to poor needy sinners. What an amazing object our Father has given us to behold by faith, even His crucified Son, who was the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person. Yet for poor sinners was His visage marred more than any man's. His food and drink was to do the will and work of His Father; yet "it pleased the Lord to bruise Him," and thus marred, and bruised, and crucified, He says to bruised reeds, "Look unto Me, and be saved!"—unto Me, bleeding, agonizing, made a curse for your sin. Look unto Me on the Cross, to be healed of your diseases, and forgiven your iniquity; none ever looked in vain.
Oh that our eyes and hearts may be fixed here; then shall we be constrained to sing and give thanks. "Unto you, therefore, which believe, He is precious." (1 Pet. 2:7) Not which have believed—but in the present tense. Oh, to live believing by the power of the blessed Spirit, who takes of the things of Christ and shows them to the soul, drawing it out towards this adorable Man, who is more precious than the gold of Ophir. Soon will clouds and veils be done away, and we shall see Him as He is with open face!
Believe me, yours very affectionately,
Ruth"When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple." Jonah 2:7
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